Doctors fear health risk from housing

The health of thousands of people continues to be put at risk by substandard housing, the British Medical Association says today.

Too many families are temporarily placed in overcrowded bed and breakfast accommodation, and older people are left on their own in old, cold and damp homes, while others face increased stress from mortgage arrears and debts, the doctors argue.

They want rules that oblige private landlords to have their properties licensed to meet minimum health standards.

Launching the report, Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics, said: "Recognition of the link between poor housing and ill health started in the 1800s, so it is appalling that in the 21st century we are still raising concerns." Poor housing has been linked to heart disease, strokes, respiratory illness, asthma, infectious diseases, and mental health and depression, while children in substandard homes are more prone to developmental delays, bed wetting, poor achievement at school and injuries in the home.

The report warns: "Housing accounts for an ever-smaller proportion of public expenditure" and adds that "housing issues have moved to the bottom of most political agendas."

Yet in 2002, there were 85,780 households in temporary accommodation, 12,670 of them in B&Bs. "Some are well managed and of a good standard but many are overcrowded, have poor facilities, and pose a risk to health and safety."